Page 33 of Exposé

"No, no. Nothing like that." She chortled, shaking her head. "I'm avoiding him for a bit. You know, like doing some longer days."

"Understood." I winked and parted from her hold. Walking to my car beside her, I opened the door and dropped my gear inside. "You know I have a lumpy couch if ever you need it."

"Thanks. I'll see ya later."

We slipped into our cars, and she drove away as I checked and rechecked my email.

If Aria had problems in her relationship, then we were all doomed.

They'd been together since high school and all through college. She'd postponed a wedding for God only knows why, and he'd stuck by her side through her hesitation.

Henry was smitten, and there was no changing his mind.

Shaking my head, I tossed my phone into the seat beside me, started up my car, and drove home, the FOIA on my mind and Whitney's scowl as motivation.

Parking, I gathered my things, per my boring routine, and meandered up the steps towards my apartment, stopping and grabbing my mail.

I hit the top step, my feet shuffling against the cement, then paused as I came eye-level with the floor above.

"What the…"

A white envelope sat tucked under the welcome mat, the quarter end of it peeking out as though it didn't belong.

I took the last remaining steps as I looked around for anyone lingering.

Did the landlord leave this?

My rent was paid…

Did this have to do with my car alarm?

Blowing out an exhaustive breath, I dragged the envelope out from under the doormat and stood, my hair flying into my face.

I flipped the sealed envelope around.

No name.

No address.

Tucking the envelope under my arm with the rest of my mail, I dug my keys out of my pocket.

The tip of my key touched the lock when I froze, then took a hesitant step back.

No.

My heart rate spiked, and nausea settled in my gut as I took another step, my gaze focused on the doorknob limp against the door, the metal pieces around the base, dented and scraped as though it'd been opened with force.

Thump.

I took the stairs down, my knees shaking as I glanced up to the second level, my hand digging my phone out of my bag. My feet hit the bottom step as I tapped on Liam's face in my contacts, then pressed it to my ear, backing away from the building as I stared at my balcony.

"Ava, what's up."

"Are you still working?"

"Yeah, is something wrong? You sound out of breath."

"I think someone's in my apartment." I gulped and pressed a hand to my forehead, swiping the cold sweat beading on my brow.

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